Hey all,

I'm doing some maintenance on my '14 RK. Getting stocked-up on parts/supplies. For those of you who do maintenance on your bikes, I wanted to know if there were suitable substitutes for these Harley products:

Tranny Fluid: I read on the forum that many are using 75W90 Synthetic gear oil. At the 1K service, my dealer installed 85W140 gear oil. I'm thinking Mobil 1 Syn 75W90 is the way to go?? Is a heavier weight better? What is the equivalent weight to Forumua +

Primary - I read on the forum that some use Rotella Triple Protection dino oil 15W40...I have some of this on-hand that I would like to use. OK to use in the primary?

Steering Head Bolt Adjustment - The shop manual says to use a 6" long, 1/4" driver to make this adjustment. Will a 6" long, 3/8 driver fitted with a 1/4" drive adapter fit inside the steering neck to make this adjustment?

"Harley Lube" for clutch cables and hand/foot control pivots. Is this a standard, petroleum-based cable lube? Any common substitutes available at the local auto parts store?

"Anti-Seize Lubricant" for Jiffy Stand: I've used regular axle grease in the past and it seems to work OK. Is the Anti-Seize necessary for the Jiffy stand or any other parts/maintenance?

"Special Purpose Grease" - What is it, and is there a common substitute?? Axle grease??

Silver or Copper Grease - for exhaust installation. I will be installing a new exhaust soon. I read it was a good idea to lube the muffler to head-pipe joint with silver or copper grease to facilitate easy removal in the future (such as when loosening rear axle nut to do drive belt tension). I'm guessing this can be found at the auto parts store??

Rear Axle Torque Tool (HD47925) - I read on the forum to simply remove mufflers and use 36 mm sockets/wrench, or use the JIMS or other similar tools. Which tool (HD, JIMS, other?) works best if you don't want to remove the mufflers? My 20-150 lb torque wrench is a 1/2" drive. I thought it might make sense to have this tool on-hand for drive belt adjustments, or for occasionally checking torque on rear axle nut...

Thanks all...

 

Suscribed

 

20w50 is roughly the same weight as 75w-110 gear.

I use Amsoil SevereGear 75w-110, but BelRay, Red Line, and a host of others make a suitable replacement for the transmission.

In your primary, use a PRIMARY fluid. Harley Formula+ works well, as does Drag Specialties Primary, and a host of other primary specific fluid.
My preference is Red Line Synthetic Primary Fluid

When I went to HD to buy "harley lube" this is what they sold me:
Tufoil Lubit-8



Any good tube grease will work. I always use Lucas Waterproof.

Silver Permatex Anti-Seize.
May not last as long as you would like on the exhaust.
I find when removing mufflers, a decent soaking with PB Blaster will help.
I couldn't find the "Harley" brand of that tool..

But I bought one from George's Garage, part number 740060, 33 bucks, quick shipping, made in the USA
http://www.georges-garage.com/chassis_tools.htm

 

Safetyman - Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I use the Tufoil too...gotta get more...I'm running low. I saw that rear axle tool from George's...I think that's the one to get...maybe two...one for each side when doing drive belt tension adjustments.

One question regarding tranny oil...Why are some using 75W90 and others 75W140? Is the 140 weight better in the heat? As I mentioned, the dealer installed 85W140 at the 1K service. I didn't get a chance to ask them why. Don't want to start an oil thread...I just want to ensure the best weight/flow characteristics/protection for the tranny. I've read heavier weight (e.g. 140) is not always better with regard to flow characteristics, but I don't know how this applies to a RK tranny...

 

I use 75w-110, it is VERY close to 20w50 in viscosity... and HD recommends 20w50.

I imagine any of them will do the job.

 

Subscribed...

 

We have just so many threads about oils I'll leave that stuff alone! For the rear axle I have a 36mm socket plus a 36mm open/ring combination wrench - or spanner as I prefer to call it, both conventional items from Ebay. The spanner weighs over 2 pounds, so take care with the darned thing!

 

Thanks all...